Chartres Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Chartres featuring heritage architecture and heritage elements
Chartres showing heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Chartres showing heritage elements
Chartres which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture
Chartres

Located just an hour from Paris and on the doorstep of the famous châteaux of the Loire Valley, Chartres is known in France as the Capital of Light and Perfume.

Famous for its UNESCO World Heritage status cathedral, Chartres is a medieval city that will enchant you with its wealth of sites to visit.

In Chartres, history has always unfolded along the banks of the River Eure. The city experienced a number of invasions before becoming a spiritual and intellectual centre around the year 1000 AD. It has had to be rebuilt several times due to fires, the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. The cathedral at the heart of the city was the location for the coronation of King HenryIV of France. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it incorporates 4,000figures, 9portals and 2,600m² of stained glass windows. The spire of its steeple reaches a height of 112metres and its two towers are visible from a great distance, acting as guide for pilgrims in the past.

Take a journey of discovery through Chartres' historical quarters: its half-timbered houses are superb, especially the oldest one which dates back to the 12th century at 29 rue Chantault. Follow the Tertre Saint-Nicolas, a little path that offers breathtaking views of the city. Visit the Maison du Saumon ("Salmon House") in Place de la Poissonnerie ("Fishmongers' Square"). Decorated with superb wooden sculptures, it proudly displays a salmon on its façade.

Every year, Chartres organises a series of "Summer Evenings" featuring concerts in the streets and cathedral. From April to October, the city gets a spectacular nocturnal makeover for the "Chartres en Lumières" event, in which a variety of buildings and monuments are lit up nightly. It is also well worth venturing outside the city to see some of the magnificent Châteaux of the Loire Valley in the surrounding areas. In addition, Chartres is situated in the heart of the area known as Cosmetic Valley, the global centre of perfumery and cosmetics. Every year the city organises the Chartres en Parfums week, dedicated to the art of perfume-making.

Walks, history, music and gastronomy are the main attractions of Chartres – a medieval yet resolutely modern city that is well worth a visit. To ensure your stay in Chartres is a unique experience, make sure you plan time to experience all it has to offer. Get ready for an unforgettable holiday!

Novotel Chartres
Novotel Chartres
4 out of 5
5 ter Avenue Marcel Proust, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
The price is £91 per night from 6 Jun to 7 Jun
£91
includes taxes & fees
6 Jun - 7 Jun
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chartres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions L'Odyssee and La Maison Picassiette are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (710 reviews)
Novotel Chartres
"Having stayed here many times I appreciated the renovations and modernization of the lobby and the rooms."

Reviewed on 24 May 2025

Novotel Chartres
Residhome Chartres
Residhome Chartres
2 ter rue Pierre Mendès France, Chartres
The price is £61 per night from 21 Jun to 22 Jun
£61
includes taxes & fees
21 Jun - 22 Jun
Stay at this aparthotel in Chartres. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (101 reviews)
Fantastic budget-friendly spot in Chartres!
"This place is fantastic and a steal! Very new and clean studio/efficiency with separate kitchen. Super comfy bed, equipped kitchenette, desk + small dining table. I took a room with a deck, and the deck was huge - about 200 square feet - with a couple of chairs and a small table. Secure underground ..."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

Residhome Chartres
Hotel Jehan de Beauce
Hotel Jehan de Beauce
4 out of 5
1 Place Pierre Semard, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
The price is £109 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
£109
includes taxes & fees
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chartres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (535 reviews)
"Neighborhood ok, but across from train station (although a nice buildingfor a train station and across a wide plaza)."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Hotel Jehan de Beauce
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residhome Chartres
Residhome Chartres
2 ter rue Pierre Mendès France, Chartres
Stay at this aparthotel in Chartres. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (101 reviews)
Fantastic budget-friendly spot in Chartres!
"This place is fantastic and a steal! Very new and clean studio/efficiency with separate kitchen. Super comfy bed, equipped kitchenette, desk + small dining table. I took a room with a deck, and the deck was huge - about 200 square feet - with a couple of chairs and a small table. Secure underground ..."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

Residhome Chartres
Maleyssie
Maleyssie
2 Rue Chanzy, Chartres, Eure-et-Loir
Stay at this aparthotel in Chartres. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 2 meeting rooms. Popular attractions Municipal theatre of Chartres and Église ...
Maleyssie
independent house
independent house
Chartres, Centre-Loire Valley
Stay at this holiday home in Chartres. Enjoy daily housekeeping, a garden and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Church of Saint-Andre and Fine ...
Ideal place for a short stay in Chatres
"This is why I use Vrbo rather than hotels. Everything you need when travelling around France."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2024

independent house
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Chartres

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
7
5 - Excellent 29%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 58%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lots to see and do. Light show amazing and Cathedral beautiful.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

When we were lost on the first morning we went into the chamber de commerce to ask for help but found the receptionist very unhelpful.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Blighted by the number of roads closed for roadworks. Couldn't believe the number of times we had to follow a deviation.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Restaurants are quite expensive. Cathedral is magnificent

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The cathederal is worth a visit